Saudi Arabia, Israel, with US assistance, mull establishing ties

Saudi Arabia is engaging in serious talks with Israel to build business ties and create new security arrangements, Report informs referring to The Wall Street Journal.

With the Biden administration’s help, Saudi Arabia and Israel are trying to broker an agreement that could give commercial planes expanded rights to fly from Israel over the kingdom and pave the way for Saudi Arabia to take full control of two strategic Red Sea islands, according to people familiar with the efforts.

At the same time, Riyadh has allowed a series of Israeli businessmen to travel to Saudi Arabia as the two nations look to deepen their economic ties, according to people familiar with the visits.

Along with the political and military rapprochement, Saudi Arabia has cleared the way for some Israelis - once barred from entering the kingdom - to fly to Riyadh in recent months for a series of meetings meant to deepen business ties between the two countries, according to people involved in the efforts.

The US is also trying to secure a deal that would allow Saudi Arabia to take full security control of two Red Sea islands - Tiran and Sanafir - that require approval from Israel.

The islands, which sit in a strategic location between the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea, have been at the center of a regional tug of war for decades between Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and currently host an international force that provides security.

The three countries are now looking at a proposal to move the multinational force off the islands and allow Saudi Arabia to control security in both places, according to people involved in the talks. The deal is seen as another way for Israel and Saudi Arabia to show they are improving ties.